Fatherhood

On Netflix.

Directed by Paul Weitz, Fatherhood stars Kevin Hart as Matt, a new father, grieving the tragic loss of his wife and trying to cope as a single dad to his newborn daughter Maddy. Alone in Boston, away from his Minnesota relatives, Matt has the help of some close Boston friends while trying to balance dealing with grief, raising a new daughter and holding down his job.

The synopsis of the film probably gives you an idea of the story you are getting and it does tick the boxes you may expect. However, if you are expecting a “Daddy Day Care” comedy of fish out of water, men raising kids, you’ll be, hopefully, pleasantly surprised, as Fatherhood is more subtle than that. While there is an element of jokes around baby bathroom trips and dad’s doing girls hair, there is plenty of thoughtful looks at grief, loss and the dilemma of trying to move forward past guilt.

Hart is likebale in the main role, balancing his natural comedic performance with some emotional depth when needed. The always reliable Alfre Woodward supports well as a grieving mother, trying not to hit out at the world and her son-in-law in particular and Melody Hurd as the more grown up Maddy steals the show whenever she is on screen.

As a parent there is lots here to identify with both comedic and emotional.

While it is predictable and won’t be remembered as a classic, it certainly comes from the right place. It is warm and heartfelt staying on the right side of saccharine with a delivery that is more than engaging enough to sweep you a long.